Aside from bread, one of the grocery items that quickly runs out is—surprise—Yakult. This scarcity could simply be because people are huge fans of the priobiotic yogurt drink—that it replenishes good bacteria in the digestive system is a plus—but others may also be hoarding packs for themselves and reselling them at a much higher price.
Lately, some supermarkets have been regulating Yakult purchases. We've spotted signs in Landers Superstore that are now limiting customers to two packs of Yakult per transaction, while SM Hypermarket has a five-pack limit.
Yakult's Facebook posts are flooded with comments detailing personal struggles of finding Yakult in the supermarket and "Please stock [insert city here]." The company released a Facebook post on April 26 reassuring every Yakult fan that they are doing their best to supply to all cities despite the enhanced community quarantine.
The Department of Trade and Industry has yet to clarify if Yakult is part of its Memorandum Circular No. 20-10: Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying Directive.
Main image from Yakult Philippines' Facebook page.
this strange new world.